Tomatoes Protect The Skin From UV Rays

Author: Mark Velov Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

The benefit is due to the ingredient lycopene, which helps reduce the inflammatory response from UV damage by neutralizing harmful molecules.

Tomatoes are useful for maintaining healthy and young skin, scientists say.

Tests show that the consumption of tomatoes and tomato paste helps prevent sunburn and skin aging caused by exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays.

According to the researchers, the benefits are due to the ingredient lycopene . It is a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce the inflammatory response from UV damage by neutralizing harmful molecules produced in the skin, explains lead researcher Prof. Mark Birch of the University of Newcastle.

The study involved 20 women aged between 21 and 47 years. Half of the volunteers consumed five tablespoons (55 g) of tomato paste and 10 g of olive oil every day for 12 weeks. The rest consume only olive oil.

Participants were exposed to sunlight at the beginning and end of the experiment.

Researchers have found a significant improvement in the skin's ability to protect itself from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays among volunteers who consume tomato paste.

Compared to other women, the group of tomatoes consuming has 33% higher protection against sunburn in the form of less reddening of the skin .

The researchers calculated that the protection offered by tomatoes was equivalent to a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 1.3. Skin samples taken from participants before and after the study showed an increase in procollagen levels, the loss of which was associated with a lack of elasticity and faster skin aging.

There is also less damage to the skin 's mitochondrial DNA , which also protects it from damage.

Tomatoes Protect The Skin From UV Rays

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